Aryloxyspiroalkylindolinone herbicides

ABSTRACT

There are provided aryloxy-1&#39;-(substituted)-spiro[cycloalkane-1,3&#39;-indolin]-2&#39;-one compounds, their herbicidal use, particularly for the selective control of undesirable plant species in the presence of cereal crops such as rice and wheat, and a method for the preparation thereof.

This is a division of co-pending application Ser. No. 07/531,712, filed on May 31, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,835.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cereal crops such as rice and wheat are of worldwide economic importance. There is a recognized need in agronomic practice for effective herbicidal agents which can be used in the presence of important agricultural crops without causing undue injury to said crops. Without adequate control, undesirable plant species can eliminate or reduce the yield of crops and diminish the efficient production and harvest of crops. Selectivity of the herbicide is especially important in order to provide excellent control of undesirable weed species in the presence of the crop.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides aryloxy-1'-(substituted)-spiro[cycloalkane-1,3'-indolin]-2'-one compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein M is N or CX; X, Y and Z are each independently hydrogen, halogen, CN, NO₂ or C₁ -C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with one or more halogens;

W is hydrogen, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁ -C₆ alkoxy, C₁ -C₆ carboalkoxy or C₁ -C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with one or more halogens or OR₁ groups with the proviso that at least two of W, X, Y and Z must be other than CN or NO₂ ;

n is an integer of 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;

R is C₃ -C₆ alkenyl, C₃ -C₆ alkynyl or C₁ -C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the following groups: halogen, OR₁, COOR₁ or NH₂ ;

R₁ is hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ alkyl.

A preferred group of aryloxyspiroalkylindolinone compounds may be illustrated as formula II ##STR2## wherein M is CX and w, X, Y, Z, R and n are as described above for formula I.

Surprisingly, it has now been found that the aryloxyspiroalkylindolinones as hereinabove described demonstrate a high degree of selectivity towards cereal crops such as rice and wheat while providing excellent control of a wide variety of undesirable broadleaf and grass plant species.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to aryloxyspiroindolinone compounds of formula I ##STR3## wherein M is N or CX; X, Y and Z are each independently hydrogen, halogen, CN, NO₂ or C₁ -C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with one or more halogens;

W is hydrogen, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁ -C₆ alkoxy, C₁ -C₆ carboalkoxy or C₁ -C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with one or more halogens or OR₁ groups with the proviso that at least two of W, X, Y and Z must be other than CN or NO₂ ;

n is an integer of 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;

R is C₃ -C₆ alkenyl, C₃ -C₆ alkynyl or C₁ -C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the following groups: halogen, OR₁, COOR₁ or NH₂ ;

R₁ is hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ alkyl.

The term halogen designates F, Cl, Br or I.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is a compound of formula II ##STR4## wherein M is CX and W, X, Y, Z, R and n are as described for formula I.

Compounds of formula I may be prepared as shown in Flow Diagram I. ##STR5##

The appropriately substituted arylchloride or arylfluoride may be reacted with a suitably substituted aminophenol in the presence of a base such as an alkali metal carbonate and a polar solvent such as acetonitrile to give the aryloxyaniline compound of formula III. The formula III intermediate is reacted sequentially with the chlorosulfonium salt of ethyl methylthioacetate in the presence of at least one equivalent of a base such as triethylamine and a non-protic solvent such as methylene chloride at a temperature range of about -78° C. to -30° C., at least one additional equivalent of a base at said ice bath temperatures and, after warming to room temperature and removing the solvent and any excess base, heated at reflux temperatures in the presence of a catalytic amount of an acid such as p-toluenesulfonic acid in an aromatic hydrocarbon or chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbon solvent with a boiling point range of about 90° C. to 150° C. to give the aryloxymethylthioindolinone compound of formula IV. Said formula IV compound may be desulfurized in the presence of Raney Nickel and a protic solvent or solvent mixture such as a loweralkyl alcohol or an alcohol and dimethylformamide to give the corresponding aryloxyindolinone intermediate and alkylated using a suitable alkylating agent such as dialkylsulfate in the presence of at least one equivalent of an alkali metal hydride and a suitable solvent to give the aryloxyindolinone compound of formula V. Said formula V indolinone can then be bis-alkylated by using the appropriate dihaloalkane of formula VI wherein m is an integer of n+1 and at least 2 equivalents of an alkali metal hydride in a polar solvent such as dimethylsulfoxide the desired compound of formula I.

Alternatively, the formula IVa intermediate can be protected using standard procedures such as acetylation in the presence of acetic anhydride to give the 1-acetyl-aryloxyindolinone of formula VII. The protected formula VII indolinone is bis-alkylated as described hereinabove to give the protected spiroindolinone of formula VIII which is then deprotected by simple acid hydrolysis to give the unsubstituted aryloxyspiroindolinone of formula IX. Said formula IX compound is then alkylated using standard procedures such as reaction with an alkylhalide in the presence of a base to form the desired formula I compound. The reaction scheme is illustrated in flow diagram II. ##STR6##

The aryloxy-1'-(substituted)-spiro[cycloalkane-1,3'-indolin]-2'-one compounds of the invention are highly effective herbicidal agents for the control of a wide variety of herbaceous and woody, annual and perennial, monocotyledenous and dicotyledenous plants. Said compounds are especially useful for the effective control of said plants in the presence of cereal crops such as rice and wheat.

The compounds of the invention are effective for controlling a wide variety of undesirable plant species when applied to the foliage thereof or to soil or water containing seeds or other propagating organs thereof such as tubers, rhizomes or stolons at rates of about 0.005 to 5.0 kg/ha. The compounds may be applied to the soil after planting, but prior to emergence, or to the soil and incorporated therein prior to planting or to the foliage and stems of plants after emergence.

The compounds of the invention are effective for controlling undesirable plant species including important weeds in transplanted rice culture. The compounds may be applied to the soil or water containing transplanted rice plants and seeds or other propagating organs of a variety of weed species or said compounds may be applied to soil or water containing directly seeded rice and seeds or other propagating organs of a variety of weed species or to the stems or foliage of the weed plants in the presence of rice plants.

The aryloxyspiroalkylindolinone compounds of the invention may be conveniently applied as a liquid or solid herbicidal composition comprising an admixture of an inert carrier or diluent and a herbicidally effective amount of a compound of formula I and optionally an adjuvant. Liquid herbicidal compositions may contain carriers and adjuvants such as organic solvents and water, as well as emulsifiers, stabilizers, dispersants, suspending agents, spreaders, penetrants, wetting agents and the like. Common solid carriers or diluents include clays, talc, diatomaceous earth, silica and the like. Preferred herbicidal compositions are those such as dispersible granulates, wettable powders, flowables or aqueous emulsifiable concentrates which can be diluted with water at the site of application. Further, dry compositions such as granules, dusts and the like may be used.

In order to facilitate a further understanding of the invention, the following examples are presented primarily for the purpose of illustrating certain more specific details thereof. The invention is not to be deemed limited thereby except as defined in the claims. The term ¹ HNMR designates proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of p-[(2-Chloro-α,α,α,6-tetrafluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]aniline ##STR7##

A rapidly stirred mixture of p-aminophenol (43.6 g, 0.40 mol), m-chloro-α,α,α,3,4-pentafluorotoluene (86.6 g, 0.40 mol) and potassium carbonate (82.8 g, 0.60 mol) in acetonitrile, under a nitrogen atmosphere, is heated at reflux temperature for 24 hours, cooled and diluted with a mixture of water and ether. The organic phase is separated, washed successively with water and brine. The aqueous phases are combined and extracted with ether. All organic phases are combined, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated in vacuo to give the title product as a dark brown solid, 102.5 g (84%), mp 55°-57° C.

Using essentially the same procedure and substituting m-chloro-α,α,α,4-tetrafluorotoluene as starting material, p-[(2-chloro-α,α,α-trifluorotolyl)oxy]aniline is obtained as a light brown solid, mp 65°-66.5° C.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of 5-[(2-Chloro-α,α,α,6-tetrafluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]-3-(methylthio) -2-indolinone ##STR8##

A solution of ethyl methylthioacetate (49.0 mL, 0.378 mol) in methylene chloride is added dropwise to a stirred solution of chlorine (19 mL, 0.412 mol) in methylene chloride at -70° C. over a 20 minute period. After stirring at -70° C. for 5 minutes, the reaction mixture is treated dropwise with a mixture of p-[(2-chloro-α,α,α-6-tetrafluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]aniline (105 g, 0.343 mol) and triethylamine (48 mL, 0.343 mol) in methylene chloride over a 45 minute period at -70° C., stirred for 1 hour, treated dropwise with neat triethylamine (83 mL, 0.60 mol), allowed to come to room temperature over a 2 hour period and diluted with water. The phases are separated and the aqeuous phase is extracted further with methylene chloride. The organic phases are combined, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated in vacuo to give a dark oil residue. The residue is dissolved in toluene, treated with p-toluenesulfonic acid (6.4 g, 0.037 mol), heated at reflux temperatures for 6 hours and cooled to room temperature. The resultant precipitate is filtered and air dried to give the title product as a tan solid, 51.6 g (38%), mp 137°-142° C.

Using essentially the same procedure and substituting p-[(2-chloro-α,α,α-trifluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]aniline as substrate, 5-[(2-chloro-α,α,α-trifluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]-3-(methylthio)-2-indolinone is obtained as a tan solid, mp 174.5°-178° C.

EXAMPLE 3

Preparation of 5-[(2-Chloro-α,α,α,-trifluoro-p-tolyl)-oxy]-2-indolinone ##STR9##

A stirred mixture of 5-[(2-chloro-α,α,α-trifluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]-3-(methylthio)-2-indolinone (25.0 g, 0.067 mol) in a 5:1 mixture of methanol and dimethylformamide is heated to 50° C., under a nitrogen atmosphere, treated portionwise with an aqueous slurry of Raney nickel W-2 catalyst until disulfurization is complete as determined by chromatography, cooled to room temperature and filtered through a bed of diatomaceous earth. The filtrate is concentrated in vacuo, diluted with a 1:1 mixture of ethyl acetate and ether, washed with water, dried over MgSO₄ and reconcentrated in vacuo to afford the title product as a tan solid, 16.5 g (75%), identified by ¹ HNMR analysis.

Using essentially the same procedure and employing 5-[(2-chloro-α,α,α,6-tetrafluoro-p-tolyl)-oxy]-3-(methylthio)-2-indolinone as starting material, 5-[(2-chloro-α,α,α-6-tetrafluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]-2-indolinone is obtained as a tan solid, identified by ¹ HNMR analysis.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of 5-[(2-Chloro-α,α,α,6-tetrafluoro-p-tolyl)-oxy]-1-methyl-2-indolinone ##STR10##

A solution of 5-[(2-chloro-α,α,α,6-tetrafluro-p-tolyl)oxy]-2-indolinone (16.8 g, 0.0485 mol) in toluene is treated in a single portion with a 60% sodium hydride dispersion in mineral oil (2.13 g, 0.0534 mol NaH) at 60° C., stirred for 30 minutes, treated dropwise with a solution of dimethylsulfate (5.1 mL, 0.0534 mol) in toluene over a 20 minute period at 60° C., stirred for 2 hours, cooled to room temperature and diluted with a mixture of ethyl acetate and water. The phases are separated, the organic phase is washed with brine and the aqueous phases are combined and further extracted with ethyl acetate. All organic phases are combined, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated in vacuo to give a light brown semi-solid residue. Trituration under a mixture of 3-5% ethyl acetate in hexane and filtration yields the title product as a light pink solid, 13.45 g (77%), mp 111°-112° C.

Using essentially the same procedure and employing 5-[(2-chloro-α,α,α-trifluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]-2-indolinone as starting material, 5-[(2-chloro-α,α,α-trifluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]-1-methyl-2-indolinone is obtained as a beige solid in 65% yield, mp 180°-185° C.

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of 5'-[(2-Chloro-α,α,α,6-tetrafluoro-p-tolyl)-oxy]-1'-methyl-spiro[cyclopropane-1,3'-indolinone]-2'-one ##STR11##

A solution of 5-[(2-chloro-α,α,α,6-tetrafluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]-1-methyl-2-indolinone (13.4 g, 0.0372 mol) in dimethylsulfoxide is treated with a 60% dispersion of sodium hydride in mineral oil (3.28 g, 0.082 mol NaH) at room temperature in a single portion, stirred for 30 minutes, treated dropwise with a solution of 1,2-dibromoethane (7.70 g, 0.041 mol) in dimethylsulfoxide over a 45 minute period, stirred for 3 hours and poured into a mixture of ethyl acetate and water. The phases are separated and the aqueous phase is extracted with ether. All organic phases are combined, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated in vacuo to afford a brown semi-solid residue. Trituration and chromatography affords the title product as a white solid, 7.70 g (54%), mp 128°-130° C.

Using essentially the same procedure and employing the appropriately substituted aryloxyindolinone and the appropriate dihaloalkane, the following compounds are obtained:

    ______________________________________                                          ##STR12##                                                                     M      Y     Z       R    W    n   % Yield mp °C.                       ______________________________________                                         CCl    H     CF.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                            H    1   47      181-182                             N      Cl    CF.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                            H    1   44      138-141                             CCl    F     CF.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                            H    3   63      106-109                             CCl    H     CF.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                            H    3   50      109-111                             CCl    F     CF.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                            H    4   62      102-105                             ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of 5-[(2-Chloro-α,α,α,6-tetrafluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]-1-acetyl-2-indolinone ##STR13##

A mixture of 5-[(2-chloro-α,α,α,6-tetrafluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]-2-indolinone (6.8 g, 18.9 mmol) in acetic anhydride is heated at reflux temperature with stirring for 30 minutes, cooled to room temperature and concentrated in vacuo to give a brown wet residue. The residue is re-evaporated twice using xylenes and chromatographed using 10% ethyl acetate in hexane to give the title product as a white solid, 5.1 g (67%), mp 119°-121° C., identified by ¹ HNMR.

EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of 5'-[(2-Chloro-α,α,α,6-tetrafluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]-1'-acetyl-spiro [cyclopropane-1,3'-indolin]-2'-one ##STR14##

A solution of 5-[(2-chloro-α,α,α,6-tetrafluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]-1-acetyl-2-indolinone (5.1 g, 12.7 mmol) in dimethylsulfoxide is treated with sodium hydride (1.12 g, 27.9 mmol) portionwise over a 30 minute period, treated dropwise with a solution of 1,2-dibromoethane (2.62 g, 14.0 mmol) in dimethylsulfoxide over a 1 hour period and stirred at room temperature until reaction is complete by thin layer chromatography. The reaction mixture is poured into a mixture of water and ether, treated with 10% HCl and separated. The organic phase is washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo to give a residue. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel using 5-10% ethyl acetate in hexane to give the title product as a pale yellow solid, 1.1 g, (20%), mp 118.5°-121° C., identified by ¹ HNMR.

EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of 5'-[(2-Chloro-α,α,α,6tetrafluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]-spiro [cyclopropane-1,3'-indolin]-2'-one ##STR15##

A mixture of 5'-[(2-chloro-α,α,α,6-tetrafluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]-1'-acetyl-spiro [cyclopropane-1,3'-indolin]-2'-one (0.60 g, 1.95 mmol), 5 mL of 1 N H₂ SO₄ and tetrahydrafuran is heated at reflux for about 24 hours (until reaction is complete by gas chromatographic analysis). The reaction mixture is diluted with ethyl acetate and water and the phases are separated. The organic phase is dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo to give a residue. The residue is chromatographed using silica gel and ethyl acetate/hexane 25/75 to give the title product as a white solid, 0.41 g, (76%), mp 168°-170° C. identified by H¹ NMR.

EXAMPLE 9 Postemergence Herbicidal Evaluation of Test Compounds

The postemergence herbicidal activity of the compounds of the invention is demonstrated by the following tests wherein a variety of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants are treated with test compounds dispersed in aqueous acetone mixtures. In the tests, seedling plants are grown in jiffy flats for about 2 weeks. The test compounds are dispersed in 50/50 acetone/water mixtures containing about 0.5% TWEEN® 20, a polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate surfactant of Atlas Chemical Industries, in sufficient quantity to provide the equivalent of about 0.032 to 0.5 kg per hectare of active compound when applied to the plants through a spray nozzle operating at 40 psi for a predetermined time. After spraying, the plants are placed on greenhouse benches and are cared for in the manner commensurate with conventional greenhouse practices. From 1 to 2 weeks after treatment, the seedling plants are examined and rated according to the rating system provided below. The data obtained are shown in Table I.

The rating scale is based upon a visual observation of plant stand, vigor, malformation, size, chlorosis and overall plant appearance as compared with a control.

    __________________________________________________________________________                                        % Control                                   Rating                             (Compared to Check)                         __________________________________________________________________________     9                    Complete kill 100                                         8                    Approaching Complete Kill                                                                    91-99                                       7                    Good Herbicidal Effect                                                                       80-90                                       6                    Herbicidal Effect                                                                            65-79                                       5                    Definite Injury                                                                              45-64                                       4                    Injury        30-44                                       3                    Moderate Effect                                                                              16-29                                       2                    Slight Effect  6-15                                       1                    Trace Effect  1-5                                         0                    No Effect      0                                          __________________________________________________________________________     Plant Species Used                                                                    Column                                                                         Heading       Common Name      Scientific Name                          __________________________________________________________________________            Barnyard gr   Barnyardgrass    ECHINOCHLOA CRUS-GALLI,                                                        (L) BEAU                                        Large Crab    Crabgrass,       DIGITARIA SANGUINALIS,                                        (hairy) Large    (L) SCOP                                        Green Fox     Foxtail, Green   SETARIA VIRIDIS,                                                               (L) BEAUV                                       Milet Pros    Millet, Proso    PANICUM MILIACEUM, L.                           Mrnglry Sp    Morningglory     IPOMOEA SPP.                                                  Spp                                                              Pigweed Sp    Pigweed Spp.     AMARANTHUS SPP.                                 Ragweed       Ragweed, Common  AMBROSIA ARTEMISIIFOLIA,                                                       L.                                              Velvetleaf    Velvetleaf       ABUTILON THEOPHRASTI,                                                          MEDIC.                                          Corn Field    Corn, Field      ZEA MAYS, L.                                    Rice Uplnd    Rice Upland      ORYZA SATIVA, L.                                Soybean       Soybean          GLYCINE MAX, (L) MERR.                          W Wheat XX    Wheat, Winter,   TRITICUM AESTIVUM, L.                                         XXX                                                       __________________________________________________________________________     TABLE I                                                                        Postemergence Herbicidal Evaluation of Test Compounds                                    Rate                                                                               Barn                                                                               Large                                                                              Green                                                                              Millet                                                                             Mrnglry                                                                             Pigweed                                                                             Rag                                                                               Velvet                                                                             Corn                                                                              Rice                                                                               Soy W Wheat              Compound  kg/ha                                                                              yard gr                                                                            crab                                                                               fox pros                                                                               Sp   sp   weed                                                                              leaf                                                                               field                                                                             uplnd                                                                              bean                                                                               XX                   __________________________________________________________________________     5'-[(2-chloro-                                                                           0.500                                                                              2   9   6   5   8    9    8  9   4  2   7   3                    alpha,alpha,alpha-                                                                       0.125                                                                              0   5   0   1   5    9    6  9   0  0   3   0                    trifluoro- -p-                                                                           0.032                                                                              0   0   0   0   6    5    2  5   0  0   1   0                    tolyl)oxy]-1'-                                                                 methyl-spiro-                                                                  [cyclopentane-1,3'-                                                            indolin]-2'-one                                                                5'-[(2-chloro-                                                                           0.500                                                                              2   7   7   6   8    9    9  9   3  0   3   1                    alpha,alpha,alpha-                                                                       0.125                                                                              5   9   8   7   9    9    9  9   4  0   4   1                    6-tetrafluoro- -p-                                                                       0.032                                                                              3   7   6   6   8    9    9  8   2  0   3   0                    tolyl)oxy]-1'-                                                                 methyl-spiro-                                                                  [cyclopentane-1,3'-                                                            indolin]-2'-one                                                                5'-[(2-chloro-                                                                           0.500                                                                              3   9   8   8   9    9    9  9   4  4   7   4                    alpha,alpha,alpha-                                                                       0.125                                                                              4   7   2   6   8    9    8  9   4  1   6   3                    6-tetrafluoro- - p-                                                                      0.032                                                                              3   7   4   5   9    9    6  7   2  2   7   2                    tolyl)oxy]-1'-                                                                 methyl-spiro-                                                                  [cyclohexane-1,3'-                                                             indolin]-2'-one                                                                5'-[(2-chloro-                                                                           0.500                                                                              9   9   9   9   9    9    9  9   4  8   9   8                    alpha,alpha,alpha-                                                                       0.125                                                                              8   9   9   9   9    9    9  9   8  4   8   6                    6-tetrafluoro- -p-                                                                       0.032                                                                              6   9   7   8   9    9    9  9   4  2   7   3                    tolyl)oxy]-1'-                                                                 methyl-spiro-                                                                  [cyclopropane-                                                                 1,3'-indolin]-                                                                 2'-one                                                                         5'-[(2-chloro-                                                                           0.500                                                                              1   1   1   1   8    9    5  9   1  1   2   1                    alpha,alpha,alpha-                                                                       0.125                                                                              1   0   0   0   9    9    2  8   1  0   2   0                    trifluoro- -p-                                                                           0.032                                                                              0   0   0   0   9    9    2  5   0  0   1   0                    tolyl)oxy]-1'-                                                                 methyl-spiro-                                                                  [cyclopropane-1,3'-                                                            indolin]-2'-one                                                                __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 10 Preemergence Herbicidal Evaluation of Test Compounds

The preemergence herbicidal activity of the compounds of the invention is exemplified by the following tests in which the seeds of a variety of monocotyledenous and dicotyledenous plants are separately mixed with potting soil and planted on top of about one inch of soil in jiffy flats. After planting, the flats are sprayed with selected aqueous acetone solutions containing test compound in sufficient quantity to provide the equivalent of about 0.500 kg/ha of test compound per flat. The treated flats are then placed on greenhouse benches and cared for in accordance with conventional greenhouse procedures. From 2 to 3 weeks after treatment, the flats are examined and the plants are rated according to the rating system set forth above. The herbicidal proficiency and crop selectivity of the compounds of the invention is evident from the data obtained and shown in Table II.

                                      TABLE II                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Preemergence Herbicidal Evaluation of Test Compounds                                     Rate                                                                               Barn                                                                               Large                                                                              Green                                                                              Millet                                                                             Mrnglry                                                                             Pigweed                                                                             Rag                                                                               Velvet                                                                             Corn                                                                              Rice                                                                               Soy W Wheat              Compound  kg/ha                                                                              yard gr                                                                            crab                                                                               fox pros                                                                               Sp   sp   weed                                                                              leaf                                                                               field                                                                             uplnd                                                                              bean                                                                               XX                   __________________________________________________________________________     5'-[(2-chloro-                                                                           0.500                                                                              0   6   7   2   3    5    2  0   0  0   0   0                    alpha,alpha,alpha-                                                             trifluoro- -p-                                                                 tolyl)oxy]-1'-                                                                 methyl-spiro-                                                                  [cyclopentane-1,3'-                                                            indolin]-2'-one                                                                5'-[(2-chloro-                                                                           0.500                                                                              2   9   9   8   9    9    8  9   2  0   4   3                    alpha,alpha,alpha-                                                             6-tetrafluoro- -p-                                                             tolyl)oxy]-1'-                                                                 methyl-spiro-                                                                  [cyclopentane-1,3'-                                                            indolin]-2'-one                                                                5'-[(2-chloro-                                                                           0.500                                                                              0   9   9   3   9    9    3  4   0  0   0   0                    alpha,alpha,alpha-                                                             6-tetrafluoro- -p-                                                             tolyl)oxy]-1'-                                                                 methyl-spiro-                                                                  [cyclohexane-1,3'-                                                             indolin]-2'-one                                                                5'-[(2-chloro-                                                                           0.500                                                                              9   9   9   9   9    9    9  9   9  1   9   8                    alpha,alpha,alpha-                                                             6-tetrafluoro- -p-                                                             tolyl)oxy]-1'-                                                                 methyl-spiro-                                                                  [cyclopropane-                                                                 1,3'-indolin]-                                                                 2'-one                                                                         5' -[(2-chloro-                                                                          0.500                                                                              0   2   3   2   3    9    0  0   0  0   0   0                    alpha,alpha,alpha-                                                             trifluoro- -p-                                                                 tolyl)oxy]-1'-                                                                 methyl-spiro-                                                                  [cyclopropane-1,3'-                                                            indolin]-2'-one                                                                __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 11 Preemergence and Postemergence Herbicidal Evaluation In The Presence of Transplanted Rice

The selectivity of the compounds of the invention is exemplified by the following tests in which 2 ten-day old rice seedlings are transplanted into a 32 oz plastic container with a diameter of 10.5 cm containing 700 g of a silt loam soil. Barnyardgrass seeds are planted in the top 0.5-1.0 cm of soil. After planting, the containers are flooded and the water level is maintained at 0.5 to 3.0 cm above the soil surface. At intervals of 0 to 12 days after transplanting, and seeding, the flooded soil surface of the cups are treated with the selected aqueous acetone solution containing test compound in sufficient quantity to provide the equivalent of about 0.008 to 1.0 kg per hectare of test compound per cup. The treated cups are then placed on greenhouse benches, watered such that the water level is maintained as stated above and cared for in accordance with conventional greenhouse practice. Three to five weeks after treatment, the tests are terminated and each cup is examined and rated according to the rating system provided in Example 9. The data obtained are reported in Table III below.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Plant Species Used                                                             Column                                                                         Heading          Common Name     Scientific Name                               __________________________________________________________________________     Barnydgr         Barnyardgrass   Echinochloa crus-galli,                                                        (L) beau                                      Rice Tebon       Rice CV. Tebonnet                                                                              Oryza sativa,                                                                  (L) tebonnet                                  __________________________________________________________________________     TABLE III                                                                      Herbicidal Evaluation In The Presence Of Transplanted Rice                                   Time Of Herbicide Application (Days After Transplanting)                       0      3      6      9      12                                             Rate                                                                               Barn                                                                              Rice                                                                               Barn                                                                              Rice                                                                               Barn                                                                              Rice                                                                               Barn                                                                              Rice                                                                               Barn                                                                              Rice                              Compound Name                                                                            kg/ha                                                                              ydgr                                                                              Tebon                                                                              ydgr                                                                              Tebon                                                                              ydgr                                                                              Tebon                                                                              ydgr                                                                              Tebon                                                                              ydgr                                                                              Tebon                             __________________________________________________________________________     5'-[(2-chloro-                                                                           1.00                                                                               9  2   9  2   9  2   9  2   8  2                                 alpha,alpha,alpha-                                                                       0.500                                                                              9  2   9  2   9  2   9  2   9  2                                 6-tetrafluoro-                                                                           0.250                                                                              9  2   9  2   9  2   9  2   -- 2                                  -p-tolyl)oxy]-1'-                                                                       0.125                                                                              9  2   9  2   9  2   5  2   4  2                                 methyl-spiro-                                                                            0.063                                                                              9  2   9  2   8  2   2  2   1  2                                 [cyclopropane-1,3'-                                                                      0.032                                                                              9  1   9  1   7  1   2  1   0  1                                 indolin]-2'-one                                                                __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 12 Preemergence Herbicidal Evaluation In The Presence of Transplanted Rice

The selectivity of the compounds of the invention is exemplified by the following tests in which 2 ten-day old rice seedlings are transplanted into a 32 oz plastic container with a diameter of 10.5 cm containing 700 g of a silt loam soil. Seeds of important weed species in transplanted rice culture are planted in the top 0.5-1.0 cm of soil. After planting, the containers are flooded and the water level is maintained at 0.5 to 3.0 cm above the soil surface. Three to seven days after transplanting, the flooded soil surface of the cups are treated with the selected aqueous acetone solution containing test compound in sufficient quantity to provide the equivalent of about 0.016 to 0.250 kg per hectare of test compound per cup. The treated cups are then placed on greenhouse benches, watered such that the water level is maintained as stated above and cared for in accordance with conventional greenhouse practice. Three to five weeks after treatment, the tests are terminated and each cup is examined and rated according to the rating system provided in Example 9. The data obtained are reported in Table IV below.

    ______________________________________                                         Plant Species Used                                                             Column                                                                         Heading     Common Name  Scientific Name                                       ______________________________________                                         Pyg Arowhd  Arrowhead    Sagittaria pygmaea, L.                                            (Pygmaea) Jap.                                                     Barnydgr    Barnyardgrass                                                                               Echinochloa crus-galli,                                                        (L) beau                                              Flatsedge   Flatsedge, Jap.                                                                             Cyperus serotinus,                                                             Rottb.                                                Rice Koshi  Rice CV.     Oryza sativa                                                      Koshihikari                                                        ______________________________________                                         TABLE IV                                                                       Preemergence Herbicidal Evaluation In The                                      Presence Of Transplanted Rice                                                             Rate    Rice    Barn  Pyg    Flat                                   Compound Name                                                                             kg/ha   Koshi   ydgr  Arowhd sedge                                  ______________________________________                                         5'-[(2-Chloro-                                                                            0.250   1       9     8      9                                      α,α,α,6-tetra-                                                          0.125   1       9     6      9                                      fluoro- -p-tolyl)-                                                                        0.063   1       9     4      9                                      oxy]-1'-methyl-                                                                           0.032   0       9     4      9                                      spiro[cyclo-                                                                   propane-1,3'-                                                                  indole]-2'-one                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 13 Postemergence Herbicidal Evaluation Under Flooding Conditions

The postemergence herbicidal activity of the compounds of the invention under flooding conditions commonly used in rice culture in North and South American countries is demonstrated by the following tests wherein a variety of plant species are grown in 32 oz plastic containers with a diameter of 10.5 cm containing 700 g of a silt loam soil. The seedling plants are grown for about 2 weeks, then treated with test compounds dispersed in aqueous acetone mixtures as described in Example 6. After the plants are treated, one-half of the containers are flooded and the water level is maintained at 0.5 to 3.0 cm above the soil surface. The treated cups are then placed on greenhouse benches, watered such that the water level is maintained as stated above and cared for in accordance with conventional greenhouse procedures.

The tests are terminated 3-5 weeks after treatment and evaluated and rated according to the rating system provided in Example 9. The data obtained are shown in Table V.

    ______________________________________                                         Plant Species Used                                                             Column                                                                         Heading    Common Name   Scientific Name                                       ______________________________________                                         Barnydgr   Barnyardgrass Echinochloa crus-galli,                                                        (L) beau                                              Uplnd Rice Upland Rice   Oryza sativa, L.                                      ______________________________________                                         TABLE V                                                                        Postemergence Herbicidal Evaluation                                            Under Flooding Conditions                                                                   Flooded    Not Flooded                                                       Rate    Barn    Uplnd  Barn  Uplnd                                  Compound Name                                                                             kg/ha   ydgr    rice   ydgr  rice                                   ______________________________________                                         5'-[(2-Chloro-                                                                            0.250   4       9      5     9                                      α,α,α,6-tetra-                                                          0.125   4       9      4     8                                      fluoro- -p-tolyl)-                                                                        0.063   2       9      2     3                                      oxy]-1'-methyl-                                                                           0.032   1       3      1     0                                      spiro[cyclo-                                                                   propane-1,3'-                                                                  indole]-2'-one                                                                 ______________________________________                                     

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for the preparation of a compound having the structure of formula I ##STR16## wherein M is N or CX;X, Y and Z are each independently hydrogen, halogen, CN, NO₂ or C₁ -C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with one or more halogens; W is hydrogen, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁ -C₆ alkoxy, C₁ -C₆ carboalkoxy or C₁ -C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with one or more halogens or OR₁ groups with the proviso that at least two of W, X, Y and Z must be other than CN or NO₂ ; n is an integer of 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; R is C₁ -C₆ alkyl; and R₁ is hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ alkylwhich comprises reacting a compound having the structure of formula III ##STR17## wherein M, Y, Z and W are as described above with at least one molar equivalent of the chlorosulfonium salt of a C₁ -C₄ alkyl ester of methylthioacetic acid in the presence of at least 1 equivalent of a base and a non-protic solvent at a temperature range of about -78° C. to -30° C. to form a first intermediate, reacting said first intermediate with at least one additional equivalent of a base to form a second intermediate, heating said second intermediate in the presence of an acid and a non-protic solvent at a temperature range of greater than about 90° C. to form an aryloxy-3-(methylthio)-2-indolinone, reacting said aryloxy-3-(methylthio)-2-indolinone with sufficient Raney Nickel in a suitable protic solvent to form the corresponding aryloxy-2-indolinone, reacting said aryloxy-2-indolinone with dialkylsulfate in the presence of an alkali metal hydride and a suitable solvent to form an aryloxy-1-alkyl-2-indolinone and reacting said aryloxy-1-alkyl-2-indolinone with a dihaloalkane of formula VI ##STR18## wherein m is an integer of n+1 in the presence of at least 2 equivalents of an alkali metal hydride and a polar solvent to give the compound of formula I.
 2. A process for the preparation of a compound having the structure of formula I ##STR19## wherein M is N or CX;X, Y and Z are each independently hydrogen, halogen, CN, NO₂ or C₁ -C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with one or more halogens; W is hydrogen, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁ -C₆ alkoxy, C₁ -C₆ carboalkoxy or C₁ -C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with one or more halogens or OR₁ groups with the proviso that at least two of W, X, Y and Z must be other than CN or NO₂ ; n is an integer of 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; R is C₁ -C₆ alkyl; and R₁ is hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ alkylwhich comprises reacting a compound having the structure of formula IVa ##STR20## wherein M, Y, Z and W are as described above with a protecting agent to form a 1-protected-aryloxy-2-indolinone, reacting said protected indolinone with a dihaloalkane of formula VI ##STR21## wherein m is an integer of n+1 in the presence of at least 2 equivalents of an alkali metal hydride and a polar solvent to give a corresponding protected spiroalkylindolinone intermediate, reacting said spiroalkylindolinone with a deprotecting agent to give an unsubstituted aryloxyspiroalkylindolinone compound and reacting said unsubstituted aryloxyspiroalkylindolinone compound with a C₁ -C₆ alkyl halide in the presence of a base and a solvent to give said compound of formula I.
 3. The process according to claim 2 wherein the protecting agent is acetic anhydride and the deprotecting agent is aqueous acid.
 4. A process for the preparation of a compound having the structure of formula IX ##STR22## wherein M is N or CX;X, Y and Z are each independently hydrogen, halogen, CN, NO₂ or C₁ -C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with one or more halogens; W is hydrogen, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁ -C₆ alkoxy, C₁ -C₆ carboalkoxy or C₁ -C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with one or more halogens or OR₁ groups with the proviso that at least two of W, X, Y and Z must be other than CN or NO₂ ; n is an integer of 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and R₁ is hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ alkylwhich comprises reacting a compound having the structure of formula IVa ##STR23## wherein M, Y, Z and W are as described above with a protecting agent to form a 1-protected-aryloxy-2-indolinone, reacting said protected indolinone with a dihaloalkane of formula VI ##STR24## wherein m is an integer of n+1 in the presence of at least 2 equivalents of an alkali metal hydride and a polar solvent to give a corresponding protected spiroalkylindolinone intermediate, and reacting said spiroalkylindolinone with a deprotecting agent to give said compound of formula IX.
 5. The process according to claim 4 wherein the protecting agent is acetic anhydride and the deprotecting agent is aqueous acid. 